MANALAPAN – The Manalapan Battleground Prep Orchestra, sponsored by Manalapan Parks and Recreation, recently introduced its new conductor, Michael Avagliano.
According to a press release from the township, Avagliano has received acclaim as a violinist and as a conductor. He currently serves as artistic director for music at Raritan, and has served as interim music director of the Central Jersey Symphony.
Avagliano studied conducting under Wallace Hornibrook and Jan Harrington at Indiana University, with further study under George Marriner Maull.
He has worked as a cover conductor for the Lafayette, Ind., Symphony and the National Orchestral Institute at the University of Maryland.
Avagliano has appeared as soloist with the new Sussex Symphony, the Plainfield Symphony, the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia and the New Jersey Youth Symphony, as well as numerous solo recital engagements.
As a member of the critically acclaimed Madison String Quartet, Avagliano has performed on chamber series throughout the northeast.
The quartet’s first CD, “Life is a Dream,” was released in 2004. Avagliano covers a wide variety of musical genres, having worked with artists ranging from Jaime Laredo and Seiji Ozawa to the Moody Blues and Ray Charles.
Avagliano received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1995, studying under Mimi Zweig and Yuval Yaron. He completed a master’s degree at Rutgers University, studying under Arnold Steinhardt.
Also an accomplished violinist, he has performed at the Killington Music Festi-val, the Brevard Music Center and with the Singapore Symphony in that capacity.
The Manalapan Battleground Prep Orchestra is comprised of a Junior Orchestra, conducted by Angela McCurdy, and an Advanced Orchestra, conducted by Avagliano.
Performances are held in December and May, featuring holiday favorites, pop and classical selections, and soloists.
The orchestras have performed at local auditoriums, retirement communities, nursing homes, churches, Barnes & Noble and the Middlesex County Fair. The orchestras have also performed with the Manalapan Battleground Symphony.
According to the press release, auditions are held in September, January and June for positions within the orchestras. Those accepted are placed in either the junior or advanced orchestras according to their level of ability, not by age.
The majority of the orchestra’s members are students, with some adults. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 6:45-9 p.m. from September through May at the Park Avenue Elementary School, Freehold Borough.
The orchestras are currently auditioning all instruments. Those interested should contact the Manalapan Internet Web site at www.twp.manalapan.nj.us. Those auditioning should prepare scales and a solo piece.